Put on hold due to numerous reasons, the Saipan Mayor’s Office animal shelter could finally be constructed as early as next week.

Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang said in an interview yesterday that the groundbreaking phase of the construction of the animal shelter could be started soon, as soon as the needed funds are acquired.

“I just found out that it’s no problem, we will get enough money to start the project, soon, hopefully by next week,” he said.

Apatang requested for an additional $200,000 from the Grants Management Office on top of the $361,406.38 grant they received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to build a new animal shelter.

“We were short $160,000 but we actually need $200,000 to start the ground breaking of the construction,’ he said.

The new animal shelter is expected to be 5,550 square feet and will be able to house over 50 dogs and about 10 to 20 cats.

The new shelter will also include a spay/neutering clinic and an administrative office. Apatang anticipates that the shelter would be completed by the end of 2018.

The original kennel in Lower Base was destroyed in 2015 as a result of Typhoon Soudelor and the building was condemned after the typhoon.

Since then, the Dog Control Program has been housing stray dogs in a temporary shelter in As Perdido.

The new shelter will be built on a portion of the Department of Lands and Natural Resources’ As Perdido property and will be approximately 5,550 square feet, nearly the same size as the old shelter that was destroyed.

Kimberly Bautista Bautista

Kimberly Bautista is the youngest in the stable of Saipan Tribune reporters. She has covered a wide range of beats, including the community, housing, crime, and education, for the Saipan Tribune.

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